Great Morning Team,
It appears my brain and the rest of my body are having quite an argument these days. My brain says, “Sure! Let’s go walk a few miles,” when my body clearly has other plans, beginning with an emphatic, “No!” coming from spine, ankles, and well, even my knees show up to argue as well. Yesterday was no different, except that while my body argued, my brain was beyond happy. Yesterday, I took part and marched in my first Pride parade…with my 17-year-old son. Every year my son, who is president of his Gay – Straight Alliance (GSA) since he was a sophomore, attends this event with teachers, staff and students, and parents if they wish. For one reason or another, I had never been able to make it, and this year being his last in High School, I decided to go.
The day was incredible and even in the staging area where we lined up, the excitement and the energy of everyone was amazing! There were many GSA’s from all over Long Island representing their school districts, along with politicians, community groups, government & private agencies that showed up providing their support with floats, booths, signs, streamers, music and confetti! The parade began and went on for almost a mile, and while I was tired and oppressively hot in 98 degree heat, (ice coffee helped remedy this) my heart strings were pulled and my eyes welled up with tears instantly at the sight of hundreds upon hundreds of people who lined the streets with flags, waving, cheering us all along the way! The love and support for this amazing community who are fighting every day for basic human rights and dignity was overwhelmingly beautiful, and at the same time heartbreaking.
I marched in solidarity with my son, and it was one of the most special moments we have shared together. He will always know I will support him, continue to cheerlead him, and advocate for him and his rights whenever, and wherever the need arises. This is not just mom protecting her child but rather love and Pride amplified in such a connected and beautiful way.
Next week, Robert Vitelli, CEO from the LGBT Network, the main sponsor and organizer of this Pride parade for Long Island, https://lgbtnetwork.org/ will be presenting a virtual interactive workshop titled, “Why Pride?” I hope you will all join our meet-up to learn about the LGBTQ community and its history.
For now, I am thankful for my heating pad, an occasional ice pack, and of course the amazing experience of Pride amplified!
Wishing you all a Better We, Better Week! 😊
Lori Beth
